Capella Kenting Resort: A Masterpiece by ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel
The Capella Kenting resort, conceived by ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel for Riant Capital and Capella Hotels and Resorts, epitomizes a seamless blend of luxury and nature. Nestled in Taiwan’s southernmost county, just north of the scenic Kenting National Park, this resort draws profound inspiration from its rich cultural context and captivating landscape.
The resort features over sixty private villas, each designed to immerse guests in nature. These villas offer an unparalleled experience of Kenting National Park's extraordinary biodiversity, including its sandy beaches, striking rock formations, and lush natural vegetation. Complementing the villas is an array of amenities designed to cater to a diverse range of travelers, from solo vacationers and couples to families.
Embodying Capella Hotels and Resorts’ commitment to holistic guest experiences, the project pays homage to local craftsmanship and construction traditions. Patterns, textures, and geometries throughout the resort echo the unique character of the region, fostering a deep connection with its locality.
The resort’s layout reflects a thoughtful relationship with the sea and surrounding landscape. Its design reshapes contours and slopes to emulate the lush environment, creating a dialogue between architecture and nature. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by a sunken drop-off area bathed in natural light and greenery, creating a striking transition. Landscaped garden paths lead to the villas, evoking a sense of arriving home in a private park. The villas themselves boast unobstructed views of the sea and sky, connecting guests organically with nature while preserving the natural environment through thoughtful lighting design.
Balancing privacy with interaction, Capella Kenting's shared spaces, including the iconic Capella Living Room and Clubhouse, serve as vibrant communal hubs. The resort’s extensive wellness facilities—such as the spa, swimming pools, gym, and Onsen bathhouses—prioritize tranquility and seclusion.
“The Capella Kenting resort seamlessly blends luxury, locality, and ecological harmony,” said Chung-Yi Yang, partner at ACPV ARCHITECTS. “All villas are thoughtfully designed to flexibly accommodate guests’ preferences and adapt to diverse configurations, including additional guests.”
Sara Busnelli, partner at ACPV ARCHITECTS, highlighted the essence of the site’s surroundings: “Rediscovering the essence of the site’s surroundings was paramount in designing Capella Kenting in Taiwan. To achieve this, we meticulously curated design details that subtly immerse guests in the landscape, celebrating a unique combination of traditional culture and nature.”
Antonio Citterio emphasized the resort’s profound connection with its environment: “The resort’s overall concept revolves around a profound interplay between the site and the sea. Every architectural detail is meticulously crafted to provide uninterrupted views of the water and horizon, granting guests a sense of unity with nature.”
Patricia Viel added, “The design of the resort is inspired by the rich cultural context of the location. We integrated traditional craft and construction techniques to emphasize the local character of the development. For example, the resort’s design integrates low walls made up of stacked stones, a part of the aboriginal culture, not only to tie the design to the location but also to minimize the visual impact on nature.”
Capella Kenting stands as a testament to ACPV ARCHITECTS' dedication to creating a luxurious, yet ecologically harmonious retreat that deeply resonates with its cultural and natural surroundings.
ABOUT ACPV ARCHITECTS ANTONIO CITTERIO PATRICIA VIEL
ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel is an international collective with the aim of nurturing shared well-being through unique, high-profile architectural solutions worldwide. Founded in 2000 by Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel, the studio is currently enhanced by the creativity of more than 190 professionals and the leadership of 11 partners. From urban planning to residential and mixed-use developments, from corporate campuses to public buildings and hotels, each ACPV ARCHITECTS project embodies a new vision where nature and the noblest human aspirations can find new centrality.
ABOUT CAPELLA HOTELS AND RESORTS
The Capella Hotels and Resorts constellation consists of properties located in Singapore, Sydney, Ubud, Bangkok, Hanoi, Shanghai, and Hainan. Future openings include exciting destinations such as Taipei, Kyoto, Riyadh, Nanjing, Shenzhen and South Korea. The exceptional hospitality brand, taking its name from the brightest star of the Auriga constellation, shines a spotlight on local heritage, culture and community whilst crafting authentic guest’ experiences with the highest level of personalised service and combining a legacy of thoughtful design.
Capella was named the Best Hotel Brand in the Travel + Leisure ‘World’s Best Awards’ for 2023 and 2024. Capella Bangkok and Capella Singapore earned the distinction of being included in the debut lineup of The World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2023. Capella Hotels and Resorts is a member of DISCOVERY, a multi-brand loyalty programme representing a collection of 40 independent hotel brands over 100 countries worldwide.
ABOUT RIANT CAPITAL LTD.
Riant Capital (RC) is a private equity real estate investment and asset management company. The portfolio of both current and past projects include but not limited to The Sky Taipei in Xinyi district of Taipei, Riant Plaza neighbouring to Hsinchu Science Park, and a built-to-suit flagship luxury building in Omotesando, Tokyo. RC’s subsidiary, Riant Hotels, also operates its self-grown brand, Hotel EPISODE, currently with two properties, EPISODE Hsinchu, JdV by Hyatt, and EPISODE Daan Taipei, JdV by Hyatt.